SRI LANKA NEWS
August 2026
Compiled by Victor Melder
A three-judge Colombo Trial-at-Bar yesterday sentenced former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando to death after finding them guilty on multiple charges, including criminal dereliction of duty for failing to act on intelligence warnings that preceded the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks. The judgments followed retrials ordered by the Supreme Court after it set aside the pair’s earlier acquittals, holding that the Trial-at-Bar had erred in law by acquitting the accused without first calling upon them to present their defence. The Attorney General had separately indicted Jayasundara and Fernando on charges including criminal negligence, criminal dereliction of duty and related offences arising from their alleged failure to act on intelligence information warning of the imminent Easter Sunday attacks. On 18 February 2022, the then Trial-at-Bar acquitted both accused at the close of the prosecution’s case without calling for their defence. The Attorney General subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that the acquittals were contrary to law. Allowing the appeal, the Supreme Court ruled that the accused should have been called upon to present their defence before any verdict was delivered. It set aside the acquittals and directed that the cases be retried. Following the retrials, the Colombo Trial-at-Bar convicted both Jayasundara and Fernando, finding they had failed to take action to prevent the Easter Sunday attacks despite receiving prior intelligence warnings.
The judgments were delivered by the Trial-at-Bar comprising Judges Priyantha Liyanage, Viraj Weerasuriya and Tilakaratne Bandara. Jayasundara was convicted and sentenced to death by a majority decision, with Judges Priyantha Liyanage and Tilakaratne Bandara finding him guilty, while Judge Viraj Weerasuriya dissented and acquitted the former IGP. Fernando was also sentenced to death after being found guilty by the Trial-at-Bar on charges including criminal dereliction of duty for failing to act on prior intelligence warnings relating to the Easter Sunday attacks. (Financial Times, 1.8.2026)
Consumer prices rose further in Sri Lanka, with the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) recording year-on-year inflation of 7.3% in July 2026, up from 6.8% in June, while the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) showed headline inflation at 6.5% in June, up from 5.4% in May, the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) said. The CCPI stood at 208.2 points in July, up from 207.7 in June. Non-food inflation remained the main driver, rising to 7.8% year-on-year, while food inflation climbed to 6.3% from 3.6% the previous month. Monthly increases were largely attributed to housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, as well as education, restaurants and hotels, and miscellaneous goods and services, even as transport costs declined slightly. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food, energy and transport items, rose to 4.4% in July from 3.9% in June. Meanwhile, the NCPI stood at 222.3 points in June, up from 218.8 in May, an increase of 1.6%.The Director General of Census and Statistics said the rise was driven by increases across both food and non-food categories. Year-on-year food inflation under the NCPI rose to 3.3% in June from 1.5% in May, while non-food inflation increased to 9.3% from 8.6%. Core inflation under the NCPI rose to 5.0% from 4.5% over the same period. (Daily News, 1.8.2026)
The National Sales Average (NSA) of tea increased in July on both a month-on-month and year-on-year basis, according to Forbes and Walker Research. Tea auction prices strengthened in July, with the national sales average rising above Rs. 1,176 per kilogram, supported by improved prices for High and Low Grown teas despite continued weakness in the Medium Grown category.
Forbes and Walker Research said, the national tea sales average for July 2026 increased to Rs. 1,176.10 ($ 3.50) per kilogram from Rs. 1,153.49 ($ 3.45) recorded in June, reflecting a month-on-month gain of Rs. 22.61 and $ 0.05. Compared with July 2025, the average improved by Rs. 48.50 from Rs. 1,127.60, although the US dollar equivalent declined by $ 0.24 due to exchange rate movements. For the first seven months from January to July 2026, the national sales average stood at Rs. 1,164.50 ($ 3.63) per kilogram, compared with Rs. 1,153.07 ($ 3.87) during the corresponding period last year. This represents a year-to-date (YTD) increase of Rs. 11.43 in local currency terms, while the dollar-denominated average remained $ 0.23 lower than a year earlier. Among the three elevation categories, high grown teas posted a monthly improvement, with the average increasing by Rs. 12.70 and $0.02 over June. On a YoY, high grown teas recorded a Rs. 26.58 gain, although the average in US dollar terms declined by $ 0.28. Medium grown teas remained the weakest-performing segment. The category recorded a Rs. 2.62 and $ 0.02 decline compared with June, while falling Rs. 27.96 and $ 0.42 against July last year. In contrast, low grown teas continued to underpin the market, with the monthly average rising by Rs. 33.65 and $ 0.08 over June. Compared with July 2025, the category recorded the strongest annual improvement, increasing by Rs. 85.98, although the US dollar equivalent was $ 0.16 lower. On a cumulative basis for 2026, high grown and low grown teas have maintained positive price variances in rupee terms compared with last year, while medium grown teas continue to record declines in both rupee and US dollar terms, highlighting the uneven performance across Sri Lanka’s tea-producing regions. (Financial Times, 5.8.2026)
Colombo recorded the highest number of goats and sheep slaughtered at licensed slaughterhouses in Sri Lanka during the provisional 2025 period, while Batticaloa reported the highest number of cattle slaughtered, according to the latest statistics released by the Department of Census and Statistics. The data showed that 28,388 goats and sheep were slaughtered in Colombo, followed by Batticaloa with 7,195, Kandy with 3,971 and Jaffna with 3,299 in 2025.Meanwhile, Batticaloa recorded 30,190 cattle slaughtered during the year, the highest among all districts. It was followed by Ampara (27,078), Anuradhapura (15,707), Kurunegala (13,646) and Trincomalee (13,307). Nationwide, 156,270 cattle were slaughtered in 2025, a decline from 164,177 in 2024. However, the figure remained higher than the totals recorded in 2023 (146,339) and 2022 (147,562), while 151,841 cattle were slaughtered in 2021. On the other hand, the total number of goats and sheep slaughtered across the country stood at 44,755 in 2025, compared with 47,151 in 2024, 51,463 in 2023, 43,870 in 2022 and 37,835 in 2021. Meanwhile, Puttalam recorded the highest number of swine slaughtered in 2025, with 659 animals. The national total, however, dropped significantly to 4,129, compared with 12,765 in 2024, 12,570 in 2023, 17,862 in 2022 and 32,736 in 2021.(Daily Mirror, 6.8.2026)
Sri Lanka has identified more than 1.6 million families as living in poverty, according to recent data from the Welfare Benefits Board, Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Minister Upali Pannilage told Parliament on Thursday. The households, classified as “extremely poor,” “poor,” “vulnerable,” or “transitional” under the board’s updated poverty assessment, are eligible for benefits under the Aswesuma welfare program. The announcement comes as Sri Lanka’s official poverty line rose to 16,690 Sri Lankan rupees (51.67 U.S. dollars) per person per month in March 2026, up from 16,571 rupees in February, according to the Department of Census and Statistics. The figure remained slightly below the 16,730 rupees recorded in January. The poverty line represents the minimum monthly expenditure required by a person to meet basic needs. It is updated monthly based on movements in the National Consumer Price Index, using 2021 as the base year, while the basic-needs framework is based on the 2012/13 Household Income and Expenditure Survey. Under the 2026 budget, the government has allocated 25 billion rupees for the Praja Shakthi National Program, a community empowerment initiative aimed at poverty eradication. (1 Sri Lankan rupee equals 0.0031 U.S. dollars) Xinhua News, 8.8.2026.
More than 749 people have died in motorcycle accidents in Sri Lanka during the first seven months of this year, prompting authorities to reiterate the importance of wearing SLS-certified safety helmets. Director of the Road Safety, Traffic and Control Division of the Sri Lanka Police, Senior Superintendent of Police Manoj Ranagala, said 1,626 road accidents had been recorded between January 1 and July 31, 2026, compared with 1,585 during the corresponding period last year. He said 749 people had died in motorcycle accidents during the period, including 13 persons below the age of 18. Speaking at a media briefing held yesterday at the Ministry of Transport Auditorium in Colombo, Chairman of the National Road Safety Council Manjula Kularatne said wearing a standardised, SLS-certified helmet is mandatory for motorcycle riders to ensure their safety. He said more than 2,500 people lose their lives in road accidents in Sri Lanka each year, with more than 1,000 of these deaths reportedly linked to motorcycle accidents. Fatal head injuries are a major cause of deaths among motorcycle riders, he added. Kularatne said the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development has launched a two-year Road Safety Action Plan comprising 96 measures aimed at reducing road accidents and promoting safer driving. Of these, 30 measures have already been physically implemented, with further action underway. He said the Sri Lanka Standards Institution, Sri Lanka Police and Consumer Affairs Authority are conducting a joint program to ensure compliance with helmet safety standards, while raids are also being carried out to enforce regulations. SSP Ranagala said 271,890 cases had been filed over safety helmet-related offences between January 1 and July 31 this year, compared with 349,823 cases in 2025. He urged motorcyclists to wear safety helmets not merely to avoid legal action or police enforcement, but to protect their own lives and safety. (Daily Mirror, 4.59pm, AEST)
Sri Lanka’s prisons system was hit by a wave of unrest over the past 24 hours, leaving three inmates dead and over a dozen injured across multiple facilities, before order was restored at all affected prisons, Police Media Spokesperson ASP F. U. Wootler said The unrest began on Thursday (6) night at Colombo’s Magazine Prison, where clashes broke out between inmates from two different wards. Police said the situation may have been caused by an attempt to retrieve a parcel of narcotics by inmates. They also caused damage to prison property during the clash. The disturbance spread, causing one inmate’s death and leaving 11 others injured. Order was restored by Friday morning. Unrest also broke out yesterday (7) at the Kuruwita Prison and the Pallansena Open-Air Correctional Facility. At Kuruwita, the clash broke out between two groups of inmates. Ratnapura District DIG Renuka Jayasundara supervised and brought the situation under control. Two inmates were killed and several others were injured during the clash. Prison authorities had to use tear gas to disperse the inmates. At Pallansena, inmates climbed onto the prison roof in protest. Tear gas was used to bring the situation under control. No outsiders have been allowed into the facility as security was tightened. The Prisons Department has since confirmed that both Kuruwita and Pallansena prisons have been brought under its control. The Department said the unrest at the two facilities, which flared up again yesterday morning, has now been contained.To restore order, police deployed the Police Riot Control Unit, the STF and the Tri-Forces alongside prison authorities. Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala said a special discussion was scheduled to be held yesterday (7) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to review the prevailing conditions in the country’s Prisons. (Daily News, 8.8.2026)
Sri Lanka’s Indigenous communities are to receive legal identification and formal recognition under new measures announced by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, as the Government moves ahead with a legal framework to address longstanding concerns over their rights and traditional way of life. Speaking at World Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2026 celebrations held at the Indigenous Heritage Museum premises in Dambana yesterday, Dr. Amarasuriya said an Extraordinary Gazette notification addressing several issues affecting Indigenous communities had been signed under the direction of the Minister responsible for the environment. The measures include the registration of Indigenous communities, issuance of legal identification and provisions allowing Indigenous people to enter forests as part of their traditional livelihoods and daily activities. Dr. Amarasuriya said the steps were expected to provide long-term solutions to issues faced by Indigenous communities and enable them to safeguard their rights and cultural practices while continuing their traditional way of life. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said the long-awaited Indigenous Peoples Bill had been submitted to Cabinet, with discussions on the proposed legislation expected to commence this week. She said Indigenous leader Uruwarige Wannila Aththo and members of the Indigenous community had engaged successive governments over several years seeking legislation specifically addressing their rights, but the process had not previously been completed. (Financial Times, 10.8.2026)
Foreign remittances sent home by Sri Lankan migrant workers have crossed the US$5 billion mark for the January-July period of 2026, Central Bank data shows. Cumulative inflows for the seven-month period stood at US$5,382.4 million, up 21.4 percent from US$4,435.2 million during the same stretch in 2025. In rupee terms, inflows rose 30.3 percent to Rs. 1,724.2 billion from Rs. 1,323.2 billion. The July 2026 figure alone came in at US$777.6 million, or Rs. 261.3 billion, up from US$697.3 million (Rs. 210.0 billion) in July of the previous year. (Daily News, 10.8.2026)
Sri Lanka’s finance company sector expanded sharply in the year to June, with total assets rising 41% year-on-year (YoY) to Rs. 3.2 trillion, driven by a 47.8% expansion in lending, the latest Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) data showed. The sector’s loan book reached Rs. 2.6 trillion by end-June, while other investments rose 19.7% YoY to Rs. 434 billion and other assets increased 25.9% to Rs. 148.6 billion. Total assets stood at Rs. 2.8 trillion a year earlier. Funding growth was also strong, with total deposits rising 22.9% YoY to Rs. 1.43 trillion. Borrowings for on-lending more than doubled, increasing 124% to Rs. 1.05 trillion, indicating that the rapid expansion of the sector’s balance sheet was increasingly supported by borrowed funds alongside deposits. Equity capital increased 13.4% YoY to Rs. 578.2 billion. Earnings continued to improve, although at a slower pace than balance sheet growth. Net interest income rose 27.6% YoY to Rs. 72.7 billion, while Profit Before Tax increased 17.4% to Rs. 39.9 billion. Profit After Tax grew 16.4% to Rs. 21 billion. Asset quality strengthened alongside the expansion in credit. Gross non-performing loans (NPLs) declined to 5.1% at end-June 2026 from 8.3% a year earlier, while Stage 3 NPLs fell to 3% from 4.5%.
The latest CBSL release did not provide updated indicators for the banking sector. (Financial Times, 11.8.2026)
Sri Lanka is marking World Elephant Day today (12), with 180 elephant deaths and 56 human deaths linked to the human-elephant conflict recorded so far this year. The Centre for Environmental Justice stated that around 75 of the elephant deaths were linked to human activity, including gunfire, electrocution and explosives. Police are also investigating the death of a 43-year-old man following a wild elephant attack in Ambanpola on 11 August. (The Morning, 13.8.2026)
Sri Lanka’s official poverty line rose to Rs. 17,592 in June, marking an increase of Rs. 277 from the previous month, according to the latest data released by the Department of Census and Statistics. The official poverty line represents the minimum monthly amount considered necessary for a person to meet their basic needs. It is calculated based on the cost of a specified minimum level of food and non-food consumption and is updated monthly to reflect changes in prices. The June figures show significant differences between districts. The poverty line in Colombo stood at Rs. 18,973, the highest among the districts, while Gampaha recorded Rs. 18,876. The lowest figure was recorded in Monaragala, where the official poverty line stood at Rs. 16,821. The increase in the national poverty line comes as household expenses continue to be influenced by changes in food and other essential prices. The official poverty line is used by policymakers and researchers as an important indicator when assessing changes in living standards, poverty and the cost of living in Sri Lanka. (Ada Derana News, 13.8./2026)
Some 1,178 prisoners have escaped from prisons during the last five years, a report from the Department of Prisons revealed. As per the report 153 inmates have escaped in 2019, 110 in 2020, 103 in 2021, 231 in in 2022, 207 in 2023, 188 in 2024 while 186 have escaped in 2025. Around 474 inmates have recaptured while 734 are moving about freely to this date .The government has assured that steps have been taken to resolve issues pertaining to prisons. Accordingly it has been pledged that the court of appeal will sit in provinces after the 22nd amendment is enacted. The government has also pledged to increase the number of judges to expedite the hearing of cases. (Daily Mirror, 17.8.2026)
Archaeologists have uncovered important evidence of settlements and the daily lives of ordinary people during excavations at the historic Yapahuwa Kingdom under the Wayamba Project. The most significant discovery is a previously unknown underground clay pipe system, parts of which have been unearthed in the western section of the outer city. Researchers believe the system may have been used to transport some form of liquid. Several clay pipe structures running parallel to each other in opposite directions have been identified within the same structure. Archaeologists say a system of this nature has not previously been discovered at any other archaeological site in Sri Lanka. The discovery is expected to provide new insights into the social, technological and urban development of ancient Sri Lanka. Previous discoveries of foreign coins at Yapahuwa had provided evidence of the kingdom’s international trade connections. The newly discovered underground infrastructure could now offer further clues about the organisation and technological capabilities of its urban settlements. While archaeological research in Sri Lanka has largely focused on Buddhist monastic complexes and royal palaces, researchers believe the latest findings could help reconstruct aspects of ordinary life during the medieval period. The archaeological excavation project was launched by the Central Cultural Fund in 2025 under the direction of Professor Mangala Katugampola. Researchers have also made extensive use of modern technology during the excavations, making the project significant in the ongoing study of Yapahuwa and Sri Lanka’s ancient urban history. (Daily Mirror, 18.8.2026)
Sri Lankan archaeologists have excavated 17 gold-plated Buddha statues from a UNESCO World Heritage site believed to have been a monastery more than 2,000 years ago, an official told AFP on Wednesday. The rare find on Tuesday came during excavations of a rampart of the Abhayagiri temple complex in Anuradhapura, an ancient capital in the island’s centre north. Project manager Thusitha Herath, of the government’s Central Cultural Fund, said this was the most significant discovery in the archaeologically protected area in more than three decades. “We have found artefacts before, but this is the first time we have seen such a large number of statues,” Herath told AFP from the excavation site, 210 kilometres north of Colombo. The 17 bronze statues plated in gold have features similar to artefacts from the seventh and eighth centuries, and are estimated to be about 1,200 to 1,300-years-old, Herath said. “We have sent these artefacts for further testing and we hope to be able to put them on public display within about a month,” he added. The statues were found buried at random within the Sacred City of Anuradhapura, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1982. Sri Lanka’s Central Cultural Fund has been carrying out excavations following the international recognition, which also imposed conservation responsibilities on the government. The area is known to have embraced a diverse mix of Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana doctrines of Buddhism, attracting scholars and pilgrims from China and India hundreds of years ago. (AFP Press, 19.8.2026)
Sri Lanka is to spend USD 1,878 million for the electrification of railway services across the island within the next three years, Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena told Parliament today. He said the Maradana-Ragama line is one of the railway lines which will be subjected to electrification. (Daily Mirror, 20.8.2026)
Nine deaths have been reported in several districts due to adverse weather conditions across the country, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). The DMC’s detailed situation report, issued at 6.00 a.m. today (22), said 102 incidents had been reported across 15 districts, affecting 4,232 families and 16,614 people. The affected districts are Ampara, Anuradhapura, Galle, Hambantota, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy District, Puttalam, Ratnapura, Badulla and Trincomalee. The report recorded nine deaths, nine injuries and two missing persons. A total of 733 houses had been partially damaged. The DMC said 25 families had been accommodated at safe centres, comprising 102 people, while eight families with 01 person were staying at relatives’ homes. Among the reported deaths, two occurred in Nawalapitiya, Kandy, following a collapse on August 3. Three deaths were reported in Nuwara Eliya following flooding in Mangogamuwa on the same day, while one person drowned in the sea in Puttalam on August 2. The DMC continues to monitor the situation and coordinate relief and response measures in the affected areas. (Daily Mirror, 22.8.2026)
A total of 1,654 fatal road accidents have been reported in Sri Lanka from the beginning of the year to yesterday (20), Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Traffic Control and Road Safety Division W.P.J. Senadheera said. He said 1,749 people had been killed in these fatal road accidents during the period. Meanwhile, 4,556 people were referred for treatment following serious road accidents, while 7,295 people were treated for injuries sustained in minor accidents, he said. A total of 3,232 cases involving property damage were also reported during the period. Of those killed in road accidents, 576 were pedestrians, 617 were motorcyclists, 122 were pillion riders, 119 were cyclists, 139 were drivers and 173 were passengers, Senadheera said. (Daily Mirror, 22.8.2026)
The total effective water storage of the countr’s major reservoirs stood at 35.9% as of August 21, according to the latest data from the Irrigation Department’s Water Management Branch. The data shows that the 74 major reservoirs monitored across the country held 1,067,914 acre-feet of effective storage out of a total effective capacity of 1,210,531 acre-feet. The total gross capacity of the reservoirs was recorded at 3,114,407 acre-feet. Among the districts covered by the report, Kurunegala recorded the highest effective storage level at 74.9%, followed by Puttalam at 66.2%, Kandy at 62.3%, Monaragala at 58.4% and Galle at 56.6%. At individual reservoirs, Deduru Oya in Kurunegala was at 94.6% effective storage, while Vakaneri in Batticaloa stood at 96.2%. Ambewela in Badulla was recorded at 100% and was reported as spilling. Other reservoirs with relatively high storage levels included Rajangana in Anuradhapura at 85.5%, Kande Ela in Badulla at 85.4%, Tissa Wewa in Hambantota at 88.0%, and Wan Ela in Trincomalee at 96.9%. Meanwhile, several reservoirs recorded significantly low storage levels. Manankattiya in Anuradhapura had only 1.5% effective storage, while Muruthawela in Hambantota stood at 1.6%, Ethimale in Monaragala at 5.4%, Rottikulama in Ampara at 8.1%, and Mora Wewa in Trincomalee at 9.5%. The report also recorded rainfall at several reservoirs during the preceding day, including 6 mm at Ellewela, 5 mm at Kekanadura and 3 mm at Ambewela. (Daily Mirror, 22.8.2026)
Sri Lanka’s fish harvest has been steadily declining since 2014, raising concerns over the long-term sustainability of the country’s marine resources, the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Institute (NARA) says. NARA Chairman Dr. Sanath Hettiarachchi said the decline was not a sudden development, but part of a wider threat affecting marine ecosystems in Sri Lanka and many other countries.
He said no single cause had so far been identified for the reduction in fish harvest, although changes in the biological systems of the marine environment were considered a major factor. Dr. Hettiarachchi also said it had not yet been established whether the El Niño phenomenon was contributing to the decline, adding that there was no confirmation of a direct impact on Sri Lankan waters. He warned that if the situation continues over the long term, measures may have to be taken to help fishing communities shift towards alternative livelihoods. A special program has already been launched to promote fish cultivation as a possible solution, but its progress so far has not reached a satisfactory level, he said. Meanwhile, National Fisheries Cooperation Movement Convener Harman Kumara attributed part of the decline to the failure to properly enforce laws against prohibited fishing nets and destructive fishing gear. He alleged that the continued use of such practices was contributing significantly to the depletion of Sri Lanka’s fish resources. (Daily Mirror, 23.8.2026)
The number of people who have succumbed to dengue in Sri Lanka so far this year stands at 71, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 0.076%, the National Dengue Control Unit said. The figures indicate that the total number of dengue cases reported across the island so far this year has risen to 93,381. A total of 29,964 cases were reported in July and 21,533 cases in June, while a certain decline in the number of cases has been observed in August compared to the previous two months. However, 8,043 dengue cases have been reported across the island during the first 20 days of August alone. Meanwhile, 52.94% of the total cases, amounting to 49,440 patients, have been reported from the Western Province. At district level, the highest number of cases has been reported from the Gampaha District, with 19,888 cases. A total of 18,535 cases have been reported from the Colombo District, while 6,755 cases have been reported from Kandy. In addition, Matara, Kalutara, Galle and Ratnapura districts have reported 6,077, 6,040, 5,122 and 4,979 cases respectively, while 3,760 cases have been reported within the Colombo Municipal Council area. The Ministry of Health continues to carry out island wide measures to maintain a clean environment by removing mosquito breeding sites from premises. Health authorities advise patients to seek immediate medical attention if they experience high fever lasting more than two days, body aches, joint pain, headache, nausea, or vomiting. (Sunday Times, 23.8.2026)
Sri Lanka’s total government revenue experienced a notable surge in the first six months of 2026, driven by the reopening of the vehicle import market after several years and the corresponding collection of tax revenues, according to the latest Finance Ministry data. Government revenue and grants grew by 27.1% from January to June 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. Total revenue for the first six months reached Rs.2.956 trillion, representing 55.8% of the annual target of Rs. 5.3 trillion projected for 2026. Excluding grants, government revenue alone rose by 27%, from Rs.2,321.7 billion in the first half of 2025 to Rs.2,954.2 billion in the first half of 2026. Motor vehicle imports served as the primary catalyst for the surge in Customs revenue. Overall excise duty collected by Sri Lanka Customs rose 46% to Rs.424.2 billion. As data shows, motor vehicle import tariffs and excise duty revenue, which stood at Rs.129.1 billion in the first half of 2025, more than doubled to Rs. 266.4 billion by the first half of 2026. This represents a rapid increase of Rs.137.2 billion. Value-Added Tax (VAT) collected on imported goods rose 25% to Rs.443.7 billion. Indirect taxes on goods and services continue to dominate Sri Lanka’s tax structure, accounting for 60% of total revenue in the first six months. Income taxes contributed 19%, while foreign trade taxes generated 13%. The Inland Revenue Department collected Rs.1.248 trillion in total tax revenue during this period while the lifting of vehicle import restrictions has significantly bolstered State finances, analysts note that the long-term sustainability of this revenue growth will depend on import demand and broader market behavior over the coming months. (Daily Mirror, 24.8.2026)
Nuwara Eliya recorded Sri Lanka’s lowest minimum temperature of 14.9°C, while the highest minimum temperature of 27°C was recorded in Jaffna, Mannar and Polonnaruwa, the Department of Meteorology said. The minimum temperature readings were recorded on August 27, 2026, with significant differences observed between the central highlands and several lowland areas. Bandarawela recorded 19.5°C, while Badulla and Katugasthota recorded minimum temperatures of 21.6°C and 22.0°C, respectively. Meanwhile, Mullaitivu recorded 26.5°C, Trincomalee 26.8°C, Pothuvil 26.9°C, and Puttalam 26.7°C. In the Western Province, Colombo and Katunayake recorded 25.0°C, while Ratmalana recorded 25.3°C. The temperature data highlights the notably cooler conditions prevailing in Sri Lanka’s central highlands compared with the warmer conditions experienced in the northern and lowland areas. (Daily Mirror, 27.8.2026)
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) is preparing to lease 29 of the 61 abandoned tanks at the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm as part of a drive to develop Trincomalee into a regional fuel re-export hub, with Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to be called from potential investors soon. CPC Managing Director Dr. Mayura Nettikumara said investors will be invited to restore and develop the tanks at their own expense and use the facilities exclusively for fuel storage and re-export activities. “The lease duration has not yet been finalised as we are still preparing the relevant documents. However, it is likely to be for more than 20 years,” Nettikumara said. The Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm is being developed through Trincomalee Petroleum Terminal Limited (TPTL), in which CPC holds a controlling 51 percent stake. Lanka IOC (LIOC), a subsidiary of Indian Oil Corporation, owns the remaining 49 percent. Nettikumara said work is already under way to rehabilitate 24 tanks allocated to CPC, while 14 tanks have been leased to LIOC under a 50-year agreement. The historic Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm, comprising around 100 storage tanks, was constructed by the British in the 1930s to supply fuel to the British naval fleet operating in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The government now aims to transform the strategically located facility into a major fuel storage and re-export centre serving regional and international markets. (Daily News, 27.8.2026)
A total of 245 coral species have been identified along Sri Lanka’s eastern coastline, highlighting the importance of protecting the country’s diverse marine ecosystems. Against this backdrop, conservation and restoration efforts are being strengthened through the Coral Conservation Centre and Laboratory being established in Nilaveli, Trincomalee. The facility is focusing particularly on the conservation of rare coral species, including Black Coral and Red Coral, while also carrying out programs to artificially propagate them. The laboratory is designed to recreate natural marine temperatures and environmental conditions required for coral cultivation. The corals produced through the process will subsequently be transplanted onto the seabed to support the restoration of coral reefs. Construction of the centre is expected to be completed by the end of September. It is planned to eventually operate as a Coral Museum and Research Centre, providing opportunities for university students, researchers and the public to engage in marine research and learn about coral conservation. The project is part of broader Government efforts to protect marine biodiversity, promote sustainable management of ocean resources and safeguard vulnerable ecosystems from the impacts of climate change. (Daily Mirror, 28.8.2026)
More than 200 wild elephants have died in Sri Lanka during the first eight months of 2026, according to the Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Department reported that 204 elephant deaths were recorded between January 1 and August 14. Of these, 33 elephants were shot dead, while 26 died after coming into contact with illegal electric fences or live wires. Another 26 elephants were killed after consuming explosive bait known as “hakka patas” (jaw bombs), while four deaths were attributed to poisoning. Meanwhile, two elephants were killed in train accidents and four in road accidents during the period. Seven elephants died after falling into agricultural wells, while another seven deaths were caused by drowning. (Daily Mirror, 28.7.2026)
The Country’s expressways generated a total revenue of Rs. 124.57 million from 325,316 vehicles during August 26 and 27, according to the latest expressway revenue figures. On August 26, a total of 163,763 vehicles used the E01, E02, E03 and E04 expressways, generating Rs. 60.41 million in revenue. The E01 and E02 sections recorded the highest traffic, with 97,149 vehicles generating Rs. 35.61 million, while E03 recorded 45,942 vehicles and Rs. 18.90 million. E04 recorded 20,672 vehicles and Rs. 5.90 million. On August 27, 161,553 vehicles travelled on the expressways, generating Rs. 64.16 million—an increase of about Rs. 3.75 million compared with the previous day. The E01 and E02 sections recorded 102,027 vehicles and Rs. 41.14 million in revenue, while E03 recorded 35,004 vehicles and Rs. 15.99 million. E04 recorded 24,522 vehicles and Rs. 7.03 million. Overall, the two-day total stood at 325,316 vehicles and Rs. 124,574,925 in revenue. (Daily Mirror, 28.6.2026)
The Port of Colombo has climbed to 20th place among the world’s major container ports after recording an 11.9 per cent year-on-year increase in container handling during the first half of 2026, according to the latest Alphaliner figures. The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) said the port handled 4,444,034 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) during the first six months of this year, compared with 3,972,053 TEUs during the corresponding period in 2025. This represents an increase of 471,981 TEUs, or 11.9 per cent. The latest performance has moved the Port of Colombo up from 26th place globally at the end of 2025 to 20th place in the first half of 2026, marking one of the most significant upward movements among major container ports worldwide. The SLPA said the growth follows a record year in 2025, when the Port of Colombo handled approximately 8.3 million TEUs. The sustained growth further strengthens Colombo’s position as a major transshipment hub in the Indian Ocean, the SLPA said. Transshipment accounts for the overwhelming majority of Colombo’s container throughput, with the port serving as a key link between international mainline and feeder networks connecting East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. (Daily Mirror, 28.8.2026)
Drug and alcohol use is contributing to the deaths of between 80 and 100 people in Sri Lanka every day, according to Dr. Manoj Fernando, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences at Rajarata University. He made the remarks at a media briefing held today (28) on drug prevention and awareness programs conducted under the “Rata Ma Ekata” (The Country United) national operation. Dr. Fernando said there was no other single individual factor in Sri Lanka that resulted in such a high number of deaths each day. He identified smoking as the leading cause of deaths among substance-related causes in the country, while noting that alcohol consumption alone was responsible for an estimated 10 to 15 deaths daily. He also warned that the use of illicit drugs has increased significantly, stressing that the pathway to illicit drug use often begins with legally available substances. “There is sufficient evidence to show that many people who use heroin had been smokers before they began using heroin,” Dr. Fernando said. He added that many cannabis users had previously been using either alcohol or cigarettes, highlighting a connection between the use of different substances. “The main drug that opens the door to these substances in Sri Lanka is smoking. There is enough evidence to show that many people who use heroin had used cigarettes before heroin. Similarly, many people who use cannabis had previously used either alcohol or cigarettes,” he said. (Daily Mirror, 29.8.2026)
Nearly 50 acres have been destroyed in sudden fires in the areas of the Ella Rock mountain range, Demodara Walasbedda viewpoint hill, and the Yatiella Kalondanda reserve in Soranthota, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said on Friday. The fire on the Ella Rock mountain range was still spreading through the dry reserve on Friday after two days, according to the Forest Conservation Department, which added that strong winds were fueling the blaze. Forest Conservation Department officers, disaster management personnel, Diyathalawa Army Camp personnel and local residents have been working together to extinguish the blaze. The DMC said that they suspect that someone had deliberately set fire to the Ella Rock mountain range around midday on Thursday. Fueled by severe dry weather and strong winds, the fire is spreading rapidly across all four sides of the mountain range Moreover, a sudden fire had also occurred on the Demodara Walasbedda viewpoint hill, and the Forest Department said that officials from the department along with the officers from Haliela Uduwara Police Special Task Force and disaster management officers managed to bring it under control. A fire also broke out in the Yatiella Kalodanda reserve in Soranathota, and the DMC said several houses situated above the reserve were at risk. However, that fire too has since been extinguished with the assistance of Forest Conservation Department officials. Police are conducting investigations to arrest the individuals responsible for setting these fires. (Sunday Times, 30.8.2026)
Police media spokesman ASP F.U.Wootler has stated that use of loud speakers and other music equipment causing public inconvenience will not be permitted after 10 pm. Addressing a media briefing, he further said authorities had received numerous public complaints about excessive noise, which was increasingly affecting residents’ well-being. He added that strict legal action will be implemented against individuals and organisers who cause public inconvenience through the misuse of loudspeakers, sound amplification equipment and other acoustic devices. Referring to a Supreme Court ruling governing the permitted hours for evening functions, he said, functions from Monday to Thursday may be held until 10 pm., while those held on Fridays and Saturdays may continue until 1 a.m. On Sundays, functions may continue until 12.30 a.m. He said excessive noise was particularly affecting infants, schoolchildren and elderly people, turning the issue from noise pollution into a broader public health concern. He warned that high-volume music events, loud music played in public places and the use of sound-amplifying vehicles would be dealt with seriously under the law. He also urged property owners, vehicle owners and event organisers to ensure that the public’s rights are protected and that all relevant laws and regulations are followed. He added that sound equipment used in violations could also be taken into police custody and seized. He urged permit holders and event organisers to act responsibly and respect the law, while calling on the public to keep the police alerted on violations of the law.
